
Manchester City ‘owe’ club’s owners Champions League success – Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker feels Manchester City owe it to club owner Sheikh Mansour to win the Champions League. City are eyeing up European club football’s top prize once again after years of near misses in their quest to land the trophy for the first time. Losing to Chelsea in the final two years ago is the closest they have come, but Wednesday brings another opportunity to reach the showpiece fixture as they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final. The tie is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital last week. City have won the Premier League six times since the sheikh bought the club in 2008 – and are on the brink of a seventh domestic title – but the Champions League has long been viewed as their ‘holy grail’. Right-back Walker said: “The club is missing that one and, (with) the owners and the amount of money they have pumped into this club and the investment they have done, we owe that to them. “To get to the Champions League final against Chelsea and not perform as well as we can, we owe that to ourselves and get some revenge for ourselves because we know that was below par on that day. “But we have a tough opponent to get past to get to the Champions League final. It’s a ‘final’, anything can happen. The first thing is getting past Real Madrid and then let’s see about the final.” City dominated the first leg at the Bernabeu in terms of possession, but Real were incisive on the counter-attack and created more clear-cut opportunities. Walker was involved in a tough battle with the pacey Vinicius Junior, who scored Real’s goal, and the City defender is relishing another encounter with the Brazilian. The pair embraced in a sign of respect after last week’s meeting, but Walker has revealed there was also extra significance in the gesture. He said: “I went to hug him because he tried to rainbow flick me, so it was kind of like, ‘Please don’t try that again – I don’t want to be a meme’. “But boxers fight, have a good battle, and then they shake hands after, and that is the level of respect I do have for him. I will give him the respect he deserves (after the final whistle), but before then it is dog eat dog Kyle Walker on Vinicius Junior “It’s the same with any other player, when it is a good game, you go and give them that level of respect because they deserve it. “I will give him the respect he deserves (after the final whistle), but before then it is dog eat dog. “It is a personal battle where you are coming up against one of the best players in the world. “I have faced many over the years who have been just as good as him, but I think he is in the best form of his life, so whoever is picked to play in that position to defend against him it is going to be a great battle.” It could be a memorable week for City, who will also retain the Premier League title if they beat Chelsea on Sunday. Walker said: “I think it is big to everyone in that dressing room. We know the goals at the end of it – it is a massive week for the club.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun’s switch from England to USA approved by FIFA Forest fined over pitch invasion after 2022 play-off semi against Sheff Utd England agonised over dropping Ben Foakes for Jonny Bairstow – Rob Key
2023-05-16 22:22

MLB rumors: White Sox injury's impact, Red Sox extension, Astros draft strategy
HOUSTON — Let's take a look at some of the latest MLB rumors, including the draft strategy for the Houston Astros, a noticeable injury for the Chicago White Sox and which pitcher the Boston Red Sox should extend now.We will start here in the Lone Star State where the Astros have won f...
2023-07-07 06:31

Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now
The Biden administration has agreed to provide controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine that it says could help its forces penetrate Russia's defensive lines, but that many nations have pledged not to use again due to risks to civilians
2023-07-07 07:19

Brazil's Marcelo Huertas becomes the second oldest to play in basketball World Cup
Brazil’s Marcelo Huertas became the second oldest to play in the basketball World Cup in South American's victory over Iran
2023-08-26 19:51

USMNT news: Mckennie’s next move, checkmate for Pulisic, Steffen’s German opening
Today's USMNT news includes rumors of West McKennie's next club, ChristianPulisic was pictured with the World No. 1 chessplayer and Zack Steffen has been linked with a transfer to Germany. USMNT news: Weston McKennie's next moveWeston McKennie assistedRodrigo's goal with a lo...
2023-05-22 21:55

S.Africa's Pistorius release might take time even if parole granted: lawyers
Former South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp a decade ago, is unlikely to be released immediately if he is granted parole...
2023-11-21 23:40

Is Hibs vs Aston Villa on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Europa Conference League play-off
A battle of Scotland vs England takes place in one of Europe’s admittedly less-than-stellar occasions on Wednesday, with Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian hosting Premier League side Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League play-off. With a place in the group stage up for grabs, a positive first-leg result feels imperative for Hibs if they are to give themselves a chance of making it through to the competition proper - which would be their first true European campaign since a 2005/06 Uefa Cup first-round exit, aside from a few Intertoto Cup appearances. Domestically, matters haven’t gone well for Hibs though this term; despite coming through two qualifying rounds in Europe already, beating Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes and Swiss outfit Luzern, it’s so far two defeats from two in the SPL. Aston Villa were thrashed by Newcastle before hammering Everton in a topsy-turvy pair of fixtures themselves at the start of 2023/24. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game and get all the latest football betting sites offers here. When is Hibs vs Aston Villa Hibs face Villa in the first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday 23 August, with kick-off set for 5:45pm BST. Where can I watch it? The game will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland, while it can be streamed on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website. What is the team news Hibs should have Jake Doyle-Hayes back from an injury lay-off, while Dylan Vente should be fine to start after going off injured at the weekend. Dylan Levitt will not play, however. For Villa, there may be a debut for new loan signing Nicolo Zaniolo, while John McGinn will hope to face the club he spent over three years with before signing for Villa in 2018. Youri Tielemans and Jhon Duran will hope to feature after coming off the bench to good effect in the weekend win over Everton, but Philippe Coutinho went off injured in that game and joins Alex Moreno, Jacob Ramsey, Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Leander Dendoncker on the sidelines. Predicted lineups Hibs - Marshall, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson, Miller, Jeggo, Boyle, Newell, Obita, Vente, Doidge. Villa - Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Zaniolo, Diaby, McGinn, Watkins Odds Hibs 21/2 Draw 19/4 Villa 2/11 Get all the latest football betting sites offers here. Prediction Villa don’t need to go all-out to get the win away from home, but probably can do if they attack the same way they did at the weekend. Hibs 1-2 Aston Villa. Read More Unai Emery can draw on his own Europa legend to write Aston Villa history Everton condemn ‘vile’ racist abuse aimed at midfielder Amadou Onana Are Everton the first crisis club of the season? Unai Emery hails ‘amazing’ Aston Villa captain John McGinn after Everton rout Unai Emery Aston Villa masterclass delivers humiliating defeat for hapless Everton Pep Guardiola applauds Manchester City’s mentality following Newcastle victory
2023-08-23 16:36

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix canceled because of flooding
Formula 1 has canceled this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix because of heavy flooding in the northern Italian region, citing safety concerns.
2023-05-18 04:26

No. 9 USC hopes to show finishing touch on offense hosting Arizona
The ninth-ranked Southern California Trojans had to hold on in closer than expected road wins at Arizona State and Colorado the past two weeks, in part because of struggles running the ball in the second half to protect their lead
2023-10-06 02:01

NBA rumors: Heat missed out on Damian Lillard for indefensible reason
The Miami Heat were apparently so enamored with a role player that they didn't land Damian Lillard. Will it keep them from landing Zach LaVine?
2023-11-30 10:08

Fitzpatrick quietly confident heading into US Open title defense
US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick doesn't think his game is quite where it was when he won his breakthrough major title last year, but that hasn't dented his confidence heading into his...
2023-06-14 08:53

Liverpool loan out defender Calvin Ramsay after injury-hit debut season
Liverpool have sent Calvin Ramsay on loan to EFL Championship club Preston North End next season. The Scotland right-back made only two appearances in an injury-hit first year at Anfield after his 2022 move from Aberdeen and is yet to make his Premier League debut. Now Jurgen Klopp has decided to let him get first-team football with Preston next season rather than using the 19-year-old as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deputy. Ramsay, who is still undergoing rehabilitation after surgery, will stay with Liverpool for the start of pre-season before going to Deepdale in mid-July. His only start for Liverpool came against League One Derby in the Carabao Cup last November, but Ramsay remains part of Klopp’s long-term plans. The manager name-checked another young right-back in Conor Bradley just before the end of the 22/23 campaign, noting that he would be involved in pre-season with the Reds after a year impressing on loan at Bolton. Bradley has won 12 senior caps for Northern Ireland, while Ramsay made his senior Scotland international bow in November last year. Read More Who is Gabri Veiga? Starlet with links to Liverpool and Chelsea Ben Foster stays at Wrexham for one more year – Friday’s sporting social Liverpool begin midfield overhaul by completing Alexis Mac Allister signing
2023-06-13 22:11
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